Most people have heard of Garmin. They’re the ones that make the GPS devices for your car so you don’t get lost looking for some specialty store that you’ve never been to in an area of town you’re unfamiliar with. What you probably are not aware of is that Garmin makes other GPS-enabled devices that aren’t designed for use in your car. For instance, Garmin also makes devices for running, hiking, biking, fishing, phoning, flying, and others that I choose not to list here. This post will focus on the running aspect of the aforementioned list.

Upon initially taking the Forerunner 305 watch out of the box the first thing I noticed was it’s size. It is one of the larger watches that I have come across, but considering the fact that it’s a small computer that communicates with satellites in outer space it’s really not that ridiculous. Putting the thing on my wrist didn’t look nearly as bad as Abi’s, but she has tiny girl wrists and I have thick, hairy manly wrists. In either case if you make the comparison between cell phones in 2009 to the Zach Morris Phone in those old ‘Saved by the Bell’ episodes, the Garmin watch really isn’t all that bad.

After charging up the internal lithium ion battery, we were ready to go for a run. The one crappy thing about any GPS device is that it must communicate with satellites that are very, very far away. Like 12,000 miles away. Sometimes it takes a while to get a signal from one or more of these satellites. Once the watch is turned on, it immediately begins searching for available GPS signals. Depending on the surroundings, these signals may be found more quickly than others. For instance, if you’re in a large, open field it will be easier to find a signal than if you’re hiding in the woods somewhere. After a signal is found, you’re ready to go.

Pressing the start/stop button does just that: it starts the timer and begins tracking your run. The Forerunner 305 has a whole slew of items that you can display on the main screen at any given time. Anywhere from 1-4 items can be viewed simultaneously, including but not limited to your time, current pace, your average pace for the run, your current/average speed, the total distance traveled, the distance traveled since the last split, and even a small map of where you have been in case you get lost in a neighborhood (it’s been done before…thank goodness for the map). There are other nifty fields that we don’t use very often like elevation, GPS accuracy, grade, heading, sunrise, and sunset (for a complete list of everything, check out the user guide).

The Forerunner 305 also includes a heart monitor, which is useful [and entertaining] to see how hard your body is actually working during a run. I’ve heard that some people actually think that running by heart rate is better than running by pace/speed, but I don’t have any research or links to back that up. All I know is the better in shape I am in, the less work my heart has to do to keep me at a reasonable pace.

Perhaps one of my favorite features about the watch is being able to download runs onto a computer by attaching the watch to the computer via USB cable. From within the Garmin Training Center software, you are able to track your run on a map, as well and view detailed statistics about each lap. Below I offer a few screenshots of a run Abi and I completed last summer:

This is the breakdown of each lap from this particular run. We had the watch setup to automatically split after each mile.

This is the map of the run. Each dot represents a transmission from a satellite. The watch updates every one second or so. The further you zoom in, the more dots you see.

This is a graph of pace vs. time, and heart rate vs. time. Other items can be graphed such as speed, elevation, distance, and cadence (for biking). The Windows version of this software enables you to smooth out the line a little so you don’t get the constant up/down rocky line. This probably has a little something to do with the accuracy of the watch, and the lack of support for the Mac.

Overall I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this purchase. At first I wasn’t a believer, but now I tell everyone about how cool this watch is and constantly recommend it. There is a new model of the watch out, the Forerunner 405, which I know very little about. I looked at the specs of the 405 versus the 305, and it looks like very little has actually changed, but it does come in green. The 405 is slightly smaller, and can wirelessly transmit data to your computer instead of using the provided USB cable…but other than that it doesn’t look like the price jump is worth it. I would buy another 305 if I were purchasing a new GPS watch tomorrow.

Let’s recap

Pros
Accuracy – I was running down a standard residential street and just for fun ran back and forth from curb to curb on either side of the street. The results of my zig-zag run were recorded.

Features – There are 32 different pieces of data that you can put on the main display of the watch, up to four at a time. The display is large enough to read all four.

Size – For a GPS communicator it’s quite small, especially compared to GPS watches from a few years ago or the devices most people are used to seeing in cars.

Cons
Cost – Last check on walmart.com, the watch was still $215. It’s still pretty expensive, but if you use it regularly I think it’s worth it.

Size – For a wristwatch it’s still pretty big.

Difficulty finding satellites – Sometimes it takes five minutes or so to find a signal strong enough to use before you can start your run. Personally I use the extra time to stretch out a little more.

Mac support – Software support on the Mac is mediocre, at best. Windows support is much better…but I refuse to use it!

I hope you have found this review somewhat useful. If you are a serious runner, I would highly recommend using a watch like this for training. If you are a recreational runner training for a race, it will definitely be helpful, but might not be worth spending this much money on a watch. If are someone that goes out running right now without any watch at all, the Forerunner 305 probably isn’t for you!

I’m not expecting fans to ignore these feats. I won’t do it myself. I went to a number of UC games as an undergrad and was treated to some of the best basketball games I have ever seen. No, don’t forget about those. What we need to do however, is keep moving forward.

I understand that there is a big game on campus tonight. It’s a big game for both teams. UC and WV are both middle-of-the-road teams in the Big East, both fighting for that first (and second) round bye in the Big East Tournament. What’s not a big deal is the relationship of Huggs and Cincinnati for ANY player on EITHER team. Huggins’ last season with UC was in 2005. It is now 2009. No player on Cincinnati’s roster in 2008-09 was on the roster in 2004-05. Zero. There’s a chance that most of the players on WV’s team don’t even know where Cincinnati is. These players don’t care about the drama; all they want to do is win a basketball game tonight and move up in the Big East standings.

Most current students at UC weren’t around in 2004-05 either. All they want to do is watch the Bearcats win a basketball game tonight and move up in the Big East standings.

The UC athletic department decided that tonight would provide a great opportunity to recognize Bob Huggins for his exceptional efforts from 1989 to 2005. There will be a short video before the game tonight highlighting some of the great years Huggins had at UC. I feel that doing something like that TONIGHT is probably dumber than hiring Nancy Zimpher to begin with! In case you missed the first paragraph, Huggins is the opposing coach! He is coming to the Shoemaker Center tonight with plans on BEATING Cincinnati! We’re not friends tonight! Tonight we’re enemies! Why are Earth would UC take time out of pregame to say, “Huggs, you’re okay! Let’s be friends! Thanks for everything you’ve done for this program even though we suck right now thanks to controversy from your days of coaching!”

I am a Bob Huggins fan. I liked the guy from 2001-2005 when we were both at UC, and I like the guy today at West Virgina. It’s weird for me to see Huggs on the sideline at a different school, but I still want to see him get smoked by the ‘Cats tonight. Today is not the day to praise Bob Huggins and thank him for what he once did for the basketball program. That day will come…like, say, on another day when West Virginia isn’t in town? Or maybe after Huggins retires from coaching college basketball?

Come on, UC. I know ticket sales are down, but it’s a really shady thing to use controversy to sell tickets. Use excitement! Use pride! Use lower prices!

I will be watching the game tonight, cheering for the Bearcats. I am, and forever shall be, a Bearcat.

C—I—N—C—I—N   N-A-T-I!!! (N-A-T-IIIIIIII!!!)

Jonathan Lepolt
College of Engineering ‘06
RallyCats ‘02-06

After Evan’s little vehicular incidents, I decided to crunch some numbers to see which Lepolt kid is really the best driver. You know us Lepolt’s…always competing to be the best. If you’re interested in the results continue reading. If you’re not, and you don’t already know who the best driver is…shame on you.

Accident History

Jonathan

• At fault accident with a curb in the snow with a 1987 Renault Alliance
• At fault accident with a minivan in the rain with a 1987 Renault Alliance
• At fault accident with a parked car while in reverse with a 1997 Toyota Corolla
• Not at fault hit and run in a UC parking garage with a 1997 Toyota Corolla

Emily

• At fault accident with a man on an expensive bicycle with a 2001 Toyota Camry
• Not at fault hit and run in a UNCW parking lot with a 2001 Toyota Camry
• Not at fault hit and run in a UNCW parking lot with a 2001 Toyota Camry

Evan

• At fault accident with a guardrail in the snow with a 2002 Toyota Corolla
• At fault accident with a car in a parking lot with a 2005 Honda Odyssey

Accident Statistics

Note: In all of the following statistics, a lower number is better.

Years driving
Jonathan: 10
Emily: 7
Evan: 2

At fault accidents per year of driving
Jonathan: .33
Emily: .14
Evan: 1

Not at fault accidents per year of driving
Jonathan: .10
Emily: .29
Evan: 0

Total accidents per year of driving
Jonathan: .40
Emily: .43
Evan: 1

Results

If you look at the total number of “at fault” accidents per year of driving, Evan is currently in the lead. I should mention this is not a statistic that you should be proud of or brag about. Since each case of the “not at fault” accidents was a hit and run, it’s going to cost the Lepolt’s money out of pocket, so those count against total scores as well. Emily is leading that category, followed by Jonathan, both of which can be blamed on college. Lastly, totaling everything up, Jonathan is the best driver, averaging on .03 less accidents per year of driving than Emily.

After further analysis, none of the Lepolt kids really deserve the award for “Best Driver.” Other awards, however, have been handed out:
Dumbest Accident – Jonathan for his little run in with a curb.
Funniest Accident – Emily hitting a guy on a bike
Highest Frequency of Accidents – Evan … two in one month … whoops.

I just wanted to take a moment and convey some big time congratulations to Anna Tunnicliffe, a 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist. Anna competed in the Women’s Laser Radial sailing event in Beijing over the past week. After ten races, she proved to be the most dominant woman out there, beating the silver medalist by five points.

So here’s a big congratulations, Anna! What a way to represent the United States of America! Congratulations!

Read more about the race

http://www.nbcolympics.com/sailing/news/newsid=234270.html#tunnicliffe+sails+into+history

Read more about Anna

http://www.annatunnicliffe.com/content/blogcategory/29/113/

http://www.annatunnicliffe.com/

Abi and I met Anna in 7th grade when she moved to Perrysburg. We all became good friends throughout high school while on the Perrysburg Track and Field team. Abi kept in touch with Anna throughout the years and was a bridesmaid in Anna’s wedding this past May.

Above photo courtesy of the Toledo Blade

For your viewing pleasure, I have posted some photos of the game: Opening Day 2008

Congrats Anna! Not only is she an Olympian, but she’s starting her acting career! I also hear she does her own stunts. Anna gets about a 3 second spotlight, but that’s about 3 seconds longer than I have ever been on a commercial.

Update: Check out Anna on K-Swiss’s webpage: http://www.kswiss.com/content/athletes/

At first when I heard there was going to be another post-season college basketball tournament this year, I thought it was a stupid idea. The NCAA Tournament is obviously the only one that matters, so why bother with the NIT? It’s just a tournament held for those that didn’t make it into the NCAA, and I never saw the point. Then I heard there was going to be an additional tournament for teams that didn’t make it into the NIT, and I really thought that was a stupid idea. As if being in the ‘Not in the Tournament’ tournament (NIT) was rubbing it in for sucking, we’re going to offer an alternative for the NIT…perfect for those teams that really, really suck, and may never have a chance to play in the NCAA.

It only figures that UC would play in this alternative to the alternative, also known as the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). With about five games left in the regular season, UC had a fighting chance of making it to the NCAA. It probably wasn’t going to happen, but if they would have won a few of those games and made a respectable run in the Big East tournament, it wouldn’t have been unbelievable to see UC play on Thursday/Friday this week. However, they decided to lose those last five games as well as the first round game in the Big East tourney, so even the NIT didn’t want them, especially with their losing record.

UC was not a good team this year. They won some great games against Loserville, Syracuse, Villanova, Pitt, and West Virgina, however, they made few mistakes in those games. The games that they lost (UCONN, Seton Hall, I don’t want to continue) they made plenty of mistakes to lose the games. Again, UC was not a good team. There’s no point in making excuses, they WERE NOT GOOD.

At one point Mick Cronin was talking about UC’s chance at any post-season appearances. He talked about the new CBI, and mentioned how college football has been playing tons of bowl games for years. It’s a fair comparison, and at that point I didn’t care which tournament UC played in as long as I got to see them play a couple more games. I agreed with Cronin, “If football can do it, why can’t basketball?!”

Tonight UC lost to Bradley. Bradley is a 17-15 team with a 9-9 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. On any given day, there’s no chance that UC should ever lose to these guys. UC was 13-18 overall, with an 8-10 record in the Big East. Let’s just compare the conference records…UC should have walked all over these guys. That being said, UC lost. They lost because they are not a good team. I’m embarrassed that UC lost to Bradley, not matter how bad of a season UC had this year.

Do “not good” teams deserve any post-season games? NO! HECK NO! Post-season is reserved for good teams that play good strong schedules and have a good record against all of the teams they play! That’s why we have the NCAA Tournament! 65 teams (not all are “good” but I can’t help teams like Mount St. Mary’s) that all have an equal shot at winning. The NIT is a joke. The CBI is a joke. The 30+ college football bowl games are a joke.

What happened to the days when making it to the post-season was a feat in itself, let alone winning that game? With the 30+ football bowl games offerend and only 110+ football teams, not making a bowl game means your team is really, really bad. I don’t think that’s right.

I say we get back to the days when post-season was hard to get to. Enough of this extra junk (International Bowl, Meineke Care Care Bowl, PapaJohns.com Bowl, NIT, CBI), and only let the teams deserving of post-season play in post-season!

So this is just a quick compilation about some thoughts and feelings about the game, the commercials, the players, and whatever else drips off my fingers today.

Game
Overall I think it was a good game. At least it was close and came down to the wire.

Patriots
Their offensive line lost them the game. Either that or the Giants defensive line was absolutely amazing. Tom Brady got pounded more that game than I remember seeing all season.

Eli Manning
I still don’t like him. His receivers make him look really good, especially since they made some amazing catches on 50/50 balls thrown in the air by Manning.

Bill Belichick
Did he end up shaking hands with Tom Coughlin after the game was over? I know for sure it wasn’t when the clock hit 0:00 because Belichick was gone by then. But when Brady threw the last incomplete pass and everyone started running out on the field did the two coaches actually meet? I’m not sure. Also, did you catch the post game interview? Wow, how pissed was he?

Tom Petty
The guy is 57 years old and put on a show that was so/so. We all know you can’t recruit young talent to perform at the Super Bowl because someone will end up taking clothes off.

Commercials
Did anyone else actually think the commercials were totally weird this year? There was a lot of stuff that was just goofy, a lot of violence, and then some funny stuff. Overall they were just goofy and after a commercial was over I sometimes found myself saying “What the hell?!” After the Under Armour commercial I kinda wanted to take some steroids and go punch someone. After the E*TRADE baby puked on the keyboard I did say “What the hell?!” Bud Light was unoriginal with the “this feature no longer available with Bud Light” tagline. Coke has some good, classy, funny ads, whereas GoDaddy’s ad was worthless. Did anyone see a Miller commercial?

House
Any idea why they were advertising so much for this show that was going to air after the game? Why did they air it after the game? Either way, I watched it. Pretty good episode actually.

That’s all for now. Does anyone agree that the whole atmosphere of the game was off this year?